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Scenic Roots

A Gentleman And A Music Legend: Remembering Sam Gooden Of The Impressions

WUTC
Published August 11, 2022 at 1:21 PM EDT
From 2019 - Fred Cash, at left, Sam Gooden, Cheaa Mayfield and his mother Altheida Mayfield enjoy a humorous comment at the moment unveiling of The Impressions sign in front of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga.
Tim Barber / Chattanooga Times Free Press
From 2019 - Fred Cash, at left, Sam Gooden, Cheaa Mayfield and his mother Altheida Mayfield enjoy a humorous comment at the moment unveiling of The Impressions sign in front of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga.

Memories and tributes have been flowing in the past week - here in Chattanooga and around the world - for Sam Gooden.

A native of this city and an original member of the iconic R&B group The Impressions, Sam died last week at the age of 87.

Barry Courter is entertainment reporter for The Chattanooga Times Free Press.

He interviewed Sam - and longtime Impressions member Fred Cash - several times in the past few decades.

From 2019 - Legendary Impressions members Fred Cash, left, stands with Sam Gooden, at the unveiling of The Impressions sign in front of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga.
Tim Barber / Chattanooga Times Free Press
From 2019 - Legendary Impressions members Fred Cash, left, stands with Sam Gooden, at the unveiling of The Impressions sign in front of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga.
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